Dhaka: The Police Reform Commission (PRC) has put forward recommendations to enforce Supreme Court directives aimed at halting arbitrary arrests by the police under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and preventing torture during remand.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, PRC Chairman and former home secretary Safar Raz Hossain emphasized the need for immediate measures to implement the directives issued by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court concerning arrest, search, and interrogation. These recommendations were presented in a report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office.
The PRC also suggested the withdrawal or expeditious handling of the state's appeal for reconsideration of the Appellate Division's judgment. It proposed amending relevant laws, including the CrPC, to better align with the court's directives.
In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld a High Court verdict that outlined directives on arrest on suspicion, torture during police interrogation, and search procedures. These included prohibiting arrests under section 54 of the CrPC for detention under the Special Power Act, 1974, and requiring police officers to disclose their identity and provide reasons for arrest within certain timeframes.
The Supreme Court further directed that interrogation must occur in prison rooms unless police cells are equipped with visibility features. Additionally, individuals arrested under section 54 cannot be placed on police remand without judicial approval.
Following the SC directives and a public survey, the PRC proposed 10 measures to tackle issues related to arbitrary arrest and interrogation. Recommendations included separate interrogation rooms with clear glass partitions in police stations, improved cleanliness and human services in police custody, and mandatory presence of female officers during interrogations of female detainees.
The PRC further suggested the implementation of an emergency call service for citizen security during searches and the use of GPS-enabled body cameras by law enforcement officers. It also called for the presence of an Executive Magistrate or similar authority during nighttime house searches and strict monitoring of case registration and investigation processes.
The Commission underscored the necessity of court orders for arrests not listed in the FIR, emphasizing compliance with the outlined procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.